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lewis was getting worse

Lewis never played up to his billing or the amount of money he was being paid. He was a deparate move at a time when the team was looking for a missing link, but he was not that link they needed over the long run.
I felt he never played as hard as he should have for the money he was being paid. Most of the time I felt he played as if he had already made his mark and didn't have to give it his full effort. Too bad. He could have been a real asset for the magic if he played to his potential and understood that basketball has two parts: Offense & Defense!!!!

Obviously doesn't watch a lot of Orlando basketball. Rashard was overpaid but played almost every game with no injuries. He hit big shots all the time and without him Orlando's system couldn't have worked.

Further. His productivity dropped off and wasn't hitting shots while not being able to move the ball. Basically just ineffective for that team.

Moving Lewis freed up Bass and Anderson to play more. Before the trade, they were already using Rashard at the 3 because Bass and Anderson are arguably, at this stage in their careers, better players. Orlando's trade with Phoenix for Turk made Rashard a bench player at best.

Conclusion. Lewis' unmovable contract gained Orlando a wild card in Gilbert Arenas. Rashard's ship had sailed and wasn't needed at all. Gilbert, at minimum, is a significant upgrade behind Jameer. Gilbert is playing quite bad now, but still is more effective than Duhon. As for Rashard, he's playing well in Washington but hasn't been missed at all by Orlando. Turk is better at the 3, Bass is better at the 4, and Anderson is doing his part behind Bass.

Genius trade for Orlando, with a bit of luck. That's if Gibert's knee holds up in all fairness.

Rashard Lewis was always been a streaky shooter. Orlando's belief that he would be motivated by money to be one of the best is laughable, if not for the years of tears. Good riddance! Lewis has always been soft and easy to intimidate as Boston proved he and the rest of Magic (Howard, the exception) are. The addition of Richardson and Arenas gives them some much needed (HEART) as well as scoring power. Turgolou's return gives them help in consistency. I fear J. Nelson desire to shine hinders, Howard's growth. I do believe he is the last munchskin that needs to go if this team is to go deep. He too is soft when it comes to Boston.

Rashard Lewis has always been a streaky shooter. Orlando's belief that he would be motivated by money to be one of the best is laughable, if not for the years of tears. Good riddance! Lewis has always been soft and easy to intimidate as Boston proved he and the rest of Magic (Howard, the exception) are. The addition of Richardson and Arenas gives them some much needed (HEART) as well as scoring power. Turgolou's return gives them help in consistency. I fear J. Nelson desire to shine hinders Howard's growth. I do believe he is the last munchskin that needs to go if this team is to go deep. He too is soft when it comes to Boston.